How to Clean AirPods Safely (Without Damaging Them)
Clean your AirPods safely without causing damage. Step-by-step guide to remove earwax, clean the case, and keep sound quality clear.
By DryPhoneSpeakers
Tap START – hold speaker facing down 💦
I always tell people the same thing: take the case off, set volume to 70–80%, hold speaker facing down, and run the tool. It really is that simple.
| Mode | Best For | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Rain, splash, pool dip | 165 Hz |
| Heavy Duty | Full submersion | 145 Hz |
| Sweep | Still crackly after first run | 80-420 Hz |
Lower volume and give it more drying time. I never recommend forcing it.
I always explain it like this: low-frequency sound creates strong air-pressure waves inside your speaker. At 165 Hz the waves are powerful enough to break water droplets free but gentle enough to never harm your phone (it's the same frequency Apple uses in their watches). That's why it works so well for removing water from phone speaker on iPhone and Android.
Different liquids need different care. Here's exactly what to do.
| Liquid | Success Rate | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh / Rain | 90–95% | Tool + 12–24 hr air-dry |
| Pool / Saltwater | 60–75% | Rinse fresh, tool, 48 hr dry |
| Soda / Juice | 40–60% | Rinse immediately + pro clean |
“My phone fell into the sink, and I really thought it was done for. I tried your site, hit the start button, and honestly… the sound came back. I didn’t expect it to work, but it did. Thank you!”
“My speakers were fixed after the waterproof bag leaked at the water park. Thank you!”
“work great”
Remove the case, set volume to 70–80%, hold speaker facing down and run the tool for 30–60 seconds. Wait 3–5 minutes and test again.
Tiny water droplets get trapped in the mesh and block the sound. The 165 Hz tool shakes them loose so they can drain out.
It works great for fresh water (90%+). Saltwater and sugary drinks leave sticky residue so you may still need a professional clean.
Start with one run. If it improves, wait 5 minutes and do one more short run. Don’t keep running it if there’s no change.
Yes, it’s completely safe. It only uses browser sound at comfortable volume levels and works on every modern phone including iPhone 17, Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10.
Apple officially says yes – rice leaves dust inside the ports. Air-drying or silica gel is much better.
Light water: 12–24 hours. Saltwater or soda: 48–72 hours with speaker facing down. Be patient – rushing causes more problems.
If the sound or mic is still bad after 72 hours drying and two runs of the tool – especially after saltwater or soda.